Is Puerto Escondido safe to travel?
One of the most common questions heard when someone mentions that they are traveling to Mexico is whether it is a safe country or how to move without fear.
First of all, it must be clarified that the definition of whether a place is safe or not is quite subjective and relative to the personal experience that each person has had. Factors such as the time of year in which they travel, activities that that person carried out during their visit, whether they are female or male, whether they travel alone or accompanied, etc. also influence the perception. Many are the factors that can influence when proclaiming whether or not a place is safe for tourists.
Having made this clarification, we want in this article to try to clear up any doubts by telling not only our own experiences but also the experiences of the people we know who live or have traveled to this place.
Mexico is a very large country, with different idiosyncrasies, types of climate, ecosystems, cultures and even different dialects. That is why speaking of Mexico as a generality to say whether it is safe or not is not possible. Each state, each city and each town, is managed differently. In this post we will talk about Puerto Escondido, a coastal city that is located in the State of Oaxaca.
Puerto Escondido is a relatively small place that year after year grows and the number of people who decide to visit this place for tourism increases. This growth influences the way in which Puerto is perceived as a safe place or not. It is not the same to talk about the Puerto Escondido of 10 years ago than to talk about the Puerto Escondido of today.
Currently, despite the growing increase in tourism and the development that is seen in the place, we can say that Puerto Escondido is one of the safest places to travel within Mexico. Being a small place, its local inhabitants know most of each other and this increases the security of this place.
Puerto Escondido has different areas and neighborhoods. Each one is different from the other. The safest areas coincide with the most tourist areas such as: Zicatela, La Punta de Zicatela, Rinconada and Bacocho. It is always advisable to stay in tourist areas to reduce the risk of insecurity. In general, tourist areas have better infrastructure and more lighting. This makes walking through Puerto Escondido at night not dangerous. As long as you limit yourself to walking through the busiest and most illuminated streets in the previously mentioned tourist areas.
Traveling alone is not the same as traveling with someone or traveling as a woman than as a man. Currently, traveling alone as a woman has a higher risk. In any case, it is not an impediment when it comes to getting to know this coastal paradise. Puerto Escondido is a place that allows you to travel alone as a woman and feel safe. Now, if you are a woman and decide to travel, it is important that you stay alert and take certain precautions. You can enjoy Puerto Escondido and its tourist attractions without a problem, as long as you use common sense. Using common sense is not to walk alone at night on poorly lit streets; It is not accepting visits from strangers who generate mistrust; it is not to take transports that are not official; it is not to trust blindly and to always exercise a critical spirit.
If you have traveled alone before, surely you have trained the necessary senses to know any tourist destination. If this is your first time traveling alone and you choose Puerto Escondido as your destination, don’t worry, you just have to be a little more alert and try to inform yourself well before launching into this place.
“I have traveled alone through Puerto Escondido and I have never felt fear. I always try to stay alert, accompanied or travel through tourist areas to avoid any risky situation. If you maintain this attitude, you will feel safe throughout your visit to Puerto Escondido.”
May, a tourist from Canada who visited Puerto in January 2021
Another aspect to take into account when visiting Puerto Escondido in relation to safety is language. If your native language is not Spanish, then I highly recommend that you try and practice Spanish before arriving at this destination. If you have never spoken a word of Spanish, do not despair, you can travel and enjoy in the same way, but you will feel much safer if you speak the local language. The language barrier not only limits us when it comes to getting to know cultures and people, but it also conditions us when it comes to maintaining our security. If you do not make time to practice your Spanish, you can always make a local friend who will help you understand the language well and feel safe and confident. The locals are very friendly!
It is essential to never leave your belongings unattended and try to always carry your valuables with you. Although Puerto Escondido is a safe place, sometimes there are cases of theft and it is better to prevent this type of situation by always keeping your belongings in safe places. Most of the hotels and hostels in Puerto have a safe or a suitable place to keep your things under lock and key. Check this information before booking your accommodation.
Finally, it is always important to have the number of your consulate of your country of origin handy for anything that happens to you. They will be able to provide you with the best service in the event that something happens to you.
Like every place in the world, you do hear cases of crimes in Puerto Escondido, but, if you use common sense, take all precautions and stay alert, you can feel safe and comfortable in this place.
The kindness of its people and the warmth of Puerthttps://www.puerto-escondido.mx/en/home/o Escondido will make you feel calm to be able to enjoy this destination free of worries.
